Ola employee suicide case: Next of kin seeks police protection

The brother of K. Aravind, the Ola Electric engineer who allegedly died by suicide in late September, told CNBC-TV18 on Thursday that the family is feeling threatened and has formally requested police protection.

Speaking to CNBC-TV18, Ashwin Kannan, Aravind’s brother, said the family has no clarity on the status of the probe and now plans to approach the Human Rights Commission. He also said the NEFT transfer of ₹17.5 lakh from Ola Electric's account to Aravind's includes his variable pay for FY 2023-24 that was due last year but was credited immediately after his death, raising questions about the timing and motive.

Sources told CNBC-TV18 that formal questioning of company executives has not yet begun, though there was an initial interaction when a notice was issued by the police to the company. The company has responded to that notice, according to the people familiar with the matter.

Sources also said that the police are awaiting forensic verification of the 28-page note that was found on the spot, before taking the next steps in the investigation. They confirmed that the brother’s request for police protection has been received and added that authorities will “work towards resolving every issue.”

The case was registered after 38-year-old Aravind, who had been employed with Ola Electric since 2022, was found dead at his Bengaluru residence on September 28. A 28-page handwritten note recovered from the spot reportedly refers to workplace stress and names senior executives, including CEO Bhavish Aggarwal.

The FIR, filed under Section 108 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), names Aggarwal and senior official Subrat Kumar Das for alleged abetment to suicide. Sources confirmed the investigation is proceeding even after the Karnataka High Court granted temporary protective orders

to Ola Electric and its officials. They said the relief is only temporary and does not restrain the police from continuing their investigation.

Judicial context

Legal experts point out that recent judgments have clarified the threshold for abetment to suicide. In August 2025, the Supreme Court held that harassment alone, even if persistent, is not sufficient to constitute abetment unless there is a direct and proximate link between the accused’s conduct and the suicide. The Court emphasized that the intention to instigate or drive the victim to suicide must be clearly established.

Similarly, in October 2025, the Allahabad High Court ruled that ordinary quarrels or workplace disputes cannot by themselves amount to abetment without clear evidence of coercion or instigation. These rulings underline that conviction under Section 108 BNS requires proof of mens rea that is intentional instigation, aiding, or conspiracy, and a clear causal connection leading to the act.

Meanwhile, Ola Electric reiterated in a statement that it is “deeply saddened by the unfortunate demise of our colleague” and that Aravind “never raised any complaint or grievance during his tenure.” The company said it has challenged the FIR and obtained protective orders from the High Court, adding that it is fully cooperating with authorities.

However, this is the second suicide linked to an Ola group company in six months. In May 2025, a 25-year-old engineer at Ola Krutrim, the company’s AI arm, was found dead in Bengaluru, with family members alleging work-related stress.